Life of a Photographer: Rock The Bells

Because you know me, you know there's a story behind this photo, which happens to be my favorites from the Rocks The Bells Festival this past weekend in Detroit (or shall I say the Detroit Area). Post coming as soon as I get my mind right.

I Like Invitations

I love getting these requests from Getty! Once the images above are added, I will have 19 images available via Getty Images Flickr Collection & another 5 in queue.

Since I submitted my first round of photos to Getty Images, I started to think differently about my images, how I frame my photos, style & color. I think my revamped process is paying off because Getty keeps coming back for more.

To get a closer look at the five images selected click the image title.

• Sade: Doubt
  
• Smiling On A Rainy Day
  
• In Ya Ear
  
• Tea & Ginger Cookies
  
• Majestic

@ The Movies: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

I origannly posted this on the Afro Spear blog last week & decided to cross post it here becuase it's getting such a strong reponse there. Like a real strong response. The movie has been out for week now & the controversy has been swirling. Have a read & leave your thoughts. I'm interested in your thoughts.
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Transformers: Racism That Meets The Eye
June 25, 2009 by Tafari

Yesterday, I made it a point to go see “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” in IMAX. Ever since the last Transformers theatrical release I had been giddy for more.

Hours before I headed to the movies, I started reading posts online that discussed racism in the movie but still I pressed on to Showcase Cinemas and dropped $10.50 for my ticket.

Fast forwarding 2.5 hours later. I’m walking out of the theater with my mind blown for many reasons; 1st, the movie was so action packed I thought I was going to slip into a seizure. 2nd the movie was overtly sexually, which made it seem like an R rated movie instead of PG-13 and 3rd The racism that was built into the movie billed as comedic relief.

As I drove home, I tried to reconcile the racism but I could not, so I decided to sleep on it. So this morning, when I woke up, I actually got mad about what I saw in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” The racism that I’m talking about in case you don’t already know is dealing with the Autobot twins “Skids” and “Mudflap” or the “ Little Black Sambo[ts].”

• Both of the twins talk like they are straight from a Lil Wayne video.
  
• The play the dozens (crack jokes on each other and anyone else) in every scene.
  
• They are seemingly proud of the fact that they cannot read. “Read?! Nuh-uh…” “No, we don’t really do much readin’!”
  
• Skids has a GOLD front tooth. Yes, a big bucked out gold tooth
  
• The names “Skids” and “Mudflap” imply darkness and or nastiness.
  
• Do I really need to add a 6th, you should get the picture now.

(Wait, for extra measure, if you want to see another relevant countdown list, you have to read this. “7 reasons why Transformers 2 might be racist…”)

With all this now parsed out, I’m wondering why and how this stereotypical bullshit slipped past Michael Bay and Paramount Pictures. Did they care? Did they know? Did they think it was ok?

I feel bad and torn because I actually liked the movie a lot, but how could I in good conscious? Maybe it’s the kid in me remembering watching the cartoon way back in the mid 80s.

Although the racism pisses me off about this flick, I was also disturbed about the adult content and overt hypersexuality. But like I said, I liked the movie, so what does this mean about me?

I know I won’t see the movie again, nor will I purchase the DVD. I do not want my kids seeing this mess and not only that it’s so not a kids movie. Don’t let the PG-13 rating fool you!

Transformers used to be all about the kids way back when, but not so much now thanks to Michael Bay and Paramount Pictures. I’m just saying.

Side note: This post is not nearly what I wanted it to be. Not at all! My thoughts are with and on Michael Jackson. As I wrap this up, I’m chair dancing to “Off The Wall” while I try to control my urge to cry about a man that reached my soul through song, dance and beauty.

1000 Words

140 Characters @ A Time: Michael Jackson

Yesterday on the drive home I was listening to “All Things Considered” on NPR like I do most days. If you are a NPR listener, you know all about “driveway moments," so lets just say that I had the worst driveway moment ever.

My driveway moment started after anchor Robert Siegal, in haste noted that singer Michael Jackson was rushed to the hospital after being found unconscious from possible cardiac arrest.

As I sat in my car, I screamed nooooooooooooo! I knew that he had died. I felt it! Not only that, after a cardiac arrest, survivability chances are very slim to none.

With that on my mind, I continued to sit in my car dumbfounded & lost. It took me almost an hour to make it into the house. I felt like I just couldn’t move at all.

Once I collected myself a little, I took to Twitter for more info & to share my thoughts.

When I started to share my thoughts & collect information, the rest of the world must have also done the same thing because Twitter was hardly moving.

Here are some of my tweets from the time that I got the news till the time I was finally able to go to sleep.

• OMG, is Michael Jackson gone?
  
• Please don't tell me I need to pull out my pleather Thriller Jacket. Please......
  
• In my best Florida Evans voice "Damn! Damn! Damn!" I don't care what they have said, I loved MJ, well B4 alleged molestations & whitening.
  
• Mom just called & told me Michael Jackson was dead & she said & Farah too. I said fuck Farah. MJs death trumps all. This is major!
  
• I lost my virginity on a red velvet couch listening to the "Off The Wall" album. #michaeljackson
  
• [Updated at 3:15] Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital... LA Times.
  
• Michael Jackson’s death is crippling Twitter. Could Twitter be the unheard of 4th death this week?
  
• My 10 year old just asked me what Michael Jackson’s last words were. Kids think of everything.
  
• People talked a lot of shit about MJ, but I'll tell you what, the world is mourning this man. The fucking world! #bitchesalwaystalkshit
  
• Am I the only one fighting back a teary breakdown? I'm a mess right now!
  
• When I was a kid, I asked my mom if MJ used the bathroom. She said of course, he's human like you & me. I thought he was so much more.
  
• Tired of how the news is talking about all of MJs legal issues. How about we focus on what he meant to ppl & not scandal. #dissedevenindeath
  
• If I had a bedazzler, I would be making me a MJ glove like right now.
  
• Taking a break from my MJ death watch. Great news! Getty Images wants 10 more of my photos. Got my Kool Aid on boo! #imgoodatwhatidobitch
  
• Typing a blog post & listening to "Liberian Girl." Naku penda piya-naku taka Piya-mpenziwe. #michaeljackson
  
• Bout to call it a night, but before I do, I have to listen to "I Cant Help It." My favorite Michael Jackson song.
  
• "I cant help it if I wanted to I wouldn't help it even if I could I cant help it if I wanted to I wouldn't help it no no no." I wont cry. #liar
  
• If I had a Wave Nouveau, I would comb the shit out of my baby hair tomorrow & stunt on them hoes in the board meeting.
  

To get a clue as to how popular this unfortunate this story is in terms of Twitter & the internet, read this. It will also clue you into the relevance of the image above if you are not familiar with Twitter & a little more.

A Haiku

Music From The Diaspora: Zap Mama: ReCreation

Yesterday, I attended & photographed the Zap Mama concert, which was put on by the Ann Arbor Summer Fest.

Two weeks ago, when I checked the Ann Arbor Summer Fest website, I have to admit, I was excited & pleasantly surprised to see one of my favorite (Afro-world) artists coming to town, but hey, why not?

So after I calmed down & got my mind right, I made contact for press credentials & not much later, it was on & popping.

I’ve been a fan of Zap Mama’s for quite some time and so has my 12 year old baby sister Sade believe it or not. I find her music to be exciting, exotic, intriguing & comforting all at the same time. Zap Mama may prefer the all-inclusive term Afropean. Call it what you will, it's just plain awesome!

If your familiar with Zap Mama’s music & her many collaborations with many US artists, but not her personal history, you may be inspired by her dramatic beginnings in Africa. I’ll let you do the Googling. Trust me it’s worth it, its like the stuff movies are made of.

Down to business; like most concerts that I shoot, I was able to shoot through the 1st 3 songs of the performance before I had to put my gear up. I had to move quickly because the 1st couple of songs only lasted minutes, almost like a series of short interludes.

After the 2nd song, things started to take off & the audience was starting to get infected with Afrobeats, which made many crowd the dance floor. The environment at this point became strangely harmonious especially when a call & response ensued. The crowd reaction was awesome!

Once I was done shooting, I was finally able to sit back & enjoy the set in comfort, well there was little comfort because I was kinda doing a chair dance.

Zap Mama performed many songs from her new album “ReCreation,” which I’m loving as I still discover it. She also did a wonderful tribute to Mariam Makeba, which got another great audience response. Talk about a crowd that knows its world music. Oh wait, then there was an awesome improv of Manu Dibango’s “Soul Makossa” (Mama ko mama sa maka makoosa. Mama ko mama sa maka makoosa. Mama ko mama sa maka makoosa.).

And without a doubt Zap Mama’s live vocals are simply incredible. Her deep vocal range, improvisation & ability to make any sound beautiful were an aural treat. At one point, I thought she had an instrument, then I noticed she didn’t, it was all her. Wow!

All the while, the crowd danced on vibrantly.

Unfortunate for me, I had to leave the show early just as Zap Mama started to perform some of her more popular work like “1,000 Ways.” I was hoping that I could hear “Poetry Man”, “Yaku” or “Bandy Bandy” but I saw & heard enough to satisfy my soul. I really did.

On a note of irony, I found many similarities between Zap Mama & Erykah Badu. Each have an unique eclectic style, but the stage presence almost seems to be one. I noticed that right off. Even still, both get high marks from me.

Again, I invite you to discover Zap Mama’s new album and some of her older works if this is all new to you. Chances are you are already in the know because you’re here & on the same vibe anyway. I’m, just saying.

To see a few more images from the show, click here.

1000 Words +

I don't know about you, but I think Father's Day is everyday. I see my gifts every time I wake or at least when they want something & they always want something.

It's hard to beleiev that I've been responsible for someone else's life for 11 years. Its definitely been a journey & worth will. I'm looking forward to making this same statement 11 years from now & beyond.

Happy Father's Day to all the men out there holding it down & taking care of business. And an extra special shout out to the moms out there playing tow roles to make things happen.

I Took The Bait

After weeks of saying that I was not falling for the new iPhone 3Gs, today, I took myself to the local AT&T store & parted with my cash. The final decision was made today when I woke up & said fuck it, I'm worthy & I deserve this. I work hard & I'nm sexy, well at least I like to think that.

My main gripe about upgrading was the $15 increased price of the AT&T data plan. While I saw the $15 as a deal breaker, I still went against myself but that's ok.

I'll find another way to reconcile later. For now, I'm loving my shiny new toy.

I was gonna sell my old iPhone on eBay but I'm not in the mood for the hastle & the return would not be all that great so I decided to give it to my boo Olivia. She always fiends for it.

I will not activate it as a phone but she will be able to use it as a souped up iPod Touch.

Music From The Diaspora: Art of a Hustler

During Raheem DeVaughn’s performance at the Capital Jazz Festival a few weeks ago, I joked to my friends that he is always hustling & putting out mix tapes. Not five minutes after I made that statement, he told the audience to go online & download his new mix tape, which was scheduled for release June 15th. I was like hell no as we all laughed at my almost “Psychic Friends” connection. I really know how to call things out.

So, June 15th has come & gone & you best believe that I copped the new 19 track “Radio Raheem DeVaughn” mix tape, titled “The Art of Noise.” Oh, did I mention that it’s free? It’s a recession boo!!!

Is free better? Well in terms of to Raheem DeVaughn’s new mix tape “The Art of Noise” compared to his last studio release “Love Behind The Melody,” I say yes! I mean, I’m a fan but, “Love Behind The Melody” was a total disappointment for me & the only track from it that I like, no, actually love is “Energy.”

So anyway, getting back to the new joint; I have to say that I’m loving it, yes really actually loving it.

Of the 19 tracks, I’ve been playing 9 of them non-stop & of those 9, 5 tracks are totally kick ass. As far as I’m concerned, DeVaughn should have released an EP with my favorites. It would make for one helluva seller.

My top tracks include in no particular order:

• “Insomnia” – Straight up a put on & lets fuck tune. Fellas this is a get some pussy shit. Get you CD-R ready & set up a date with your boo!
• “Planet Body Rock” – This is one of my summer sound track hits. It’s hot! Gives me this 90s feel & I love that.
• “Weather Man” – A chilled track with a little of the dreaded auto tune but its applied appropriately here. A hip-hop beat with a sexy theme. Nothing like talking about getting your boo moist.
• “Hennesy Joint” – A very chilled basically instrumental jump off, almost like a very nice long interlude with a smooth melodic hook.
• “Night & Day” - An Al B. Sure remake. This shit is chopped & screwed for 09. A total bonus in my book on an old school tip (are the 80s really old school?).
  

Never underestimate the power of a good mix tape!

So with all this said, you need to cop this shit before it’s too late leaving you stuck on stupid. I’m just saying.

Download Link

Bitch Ass Racist Excuses In The News Again

I read this story earlier today & the two things that ran through my mind were, 1) why does this bitch still have a job (we know why but still) & 2) regardless of what “list” you intended to send a blatantly offensive message to, it’s still wrong, inappropriate, & fucked up.

“The chairman of Tennessee's Democratic Party wants a Republican legislative aide fired for sending out a "reprehensible" e-mail depicting President Obama as two cartoonish white eyes peering from a black background.

Obama's image is in the last square of a collage containing portraits of the previous 43 U.S. presidents. The e-mail, which was sent to other GOP staff members, was posted on the Internet Monday.

Sherri Goforth, an administrative assistant to state Sen. Diane Black, R-Gallatin, has admitted she sent the e-mail May 28 with the title "Historical Keepsake Photo." She said, without elaborating, that she mistakenly sent it "to the wrong list of people."

According to the Tennessean, a Nashville newspaper, a note on the e-mail said it was paid for by the Tennessee Republican Party, but GOP officials denied they produced it. Black leads the Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus.

There was no comment from the White House as of Tuesday afternoon.

Black rebuked Goforth but didn't dismiss her.

"I want to be sure that everyone understands that the communication was sent without my knowledge," Black said Tuesday afternoon. "It absolutely does not represent the beliefs or opinions of my office. I want to be very clear about that."

"Ms. Goforth did get a verbal reprimand as well as a very strongly worded reprimand, written, that was put in her file that if this should ever occur again, that she would be terminated," Black said.

"This is an employee who has had a stellar record," Black said. She added that Goforth has worked in state government for more than 20 years, and has had a clean record.

"We followed policy. And that's what you do when someone breaks the rules, you follow policy," she said.

A phone message left for Goforth by CNN was not answered.

"Is this indicative of what Senate Republicans think about our commander-in-chief?" asked state Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester in a statement posted on the party's Web site.

"I am calling on Sen. Black to reject this racist smear and fire this staffer who, on state government time, on state government computers, using a state government e-mail account, launched this bigoted attack on our president," Forrester said. "Keeping her on the staff would send the message that this type of behavior is condoned by the Senate Republican Caucus."…”

Read more here

I guess when you are so deeply ignorant; you cannot see the forest for the trees & everyone else is wrong for calling your bullshit out.

Maybe I should be outraged but I’m not. This kinda mess happens far to often & not much is done.

I wonder if they will send Sherri Goforth to some racial sensitivity training & make her volunteer at a food bank in the hood so that she will realize that “all” Negroes aren’t spooks. I'm just saying!

I'm also wondering if Sherri Goforth will say that some of her best friends are Black.

My Cup Runneth Over: Potpourri

My next few weeks are going to be kinda intense with activity but I have my mind right for the challenges.

Some of the major things I have going on include the end of the spring semester, which ends next week. In the meantime, I have 2 projects due & my final exam by next Friday.

At this point, I have a 95% in the class & I’m hoping that I kick ass on the final so that I pull this A. I must show & prove!

Then we have a trip planned to visit NYC in a few weeks for a mini vacay. I’m looking forward to getting back on the eat coast. We plan on doing some museums & spending an entire day in Central Park doing nothing at all but living. Making this trip extra special is the fact that we are driving.

Yeah, I know it sounds intense but the drive to NY from MI is beautiful & very scenic. I plan on having a great 10 hour trek packed with good music & filthy rest stops.

And in the midst of all of this is my planning of me being at the 50th Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. I have tons of prints to pull together, matting to be cut, the coffee table books to assemble & all sorts of other little details. BTW, the fair is jumping off July 15-18th, I would love to see you, especially if you are coming to buy! :)

I plan on displaying some rather large dramatic pieces that I hope I do not wind up taking home when it is all said & done. My fingers are crossed!

Speaking of art, I also submitted a 20x30 piece to the University of Michigan Health System Employee Art Exhibition, which opens next week.

This show should be pretty interesting & I have to start a marketing campaign to get people to vote on my piece because I would love to win best in show for photography. Here is a link to the piece that will be on display.

Oh and speaking of art & me being on the grind; 2 weeks ago, I got the following message;

“Hi Tafari,

Wow! You’ve really caught Getty Images’ eye!

The Getty Images peeps selected another 10 of your photos for possible sale on the Getty Images web site.”

I was so geeked that I peed on myself a little bit. Anyway 9 of the 10 images are now on sale & I’m waiting for one last model release from my friend Yvette. This one will be hard to get because she is in Germany & I cannot get in touch. By the time I get this last image submitted, I will have a total of 15 creative photographs added to the Getty Images Flickr Collection. Go me!

And ‘m looking forward to getting my Getty royalty statement at the end of the week & so hoping that I had some sales. My fingers are so crossed!

Wanna here some funny shit? Today I got an email from “enRoute magazine (Air Canada's in-flight magazine)” requesting use of one of my photos for the publication. The request stated that if I let them use the image, they would give me credit & send me a couple copies of the mag when it goes live.

I responded back by saying that I was flattered that they wanted to use my image, then mentioned that my licensing fee was $465.00. I never heard back.

1st of all, I don’t need credit in a magazine, I need cash in my mutha fucking hand! That credit ain’t gone do nothing for me feeding a family of 5. Sorry boo!

On a final note, I hope to bring some more on the grind soon! I’m hoping to secure media credentials for Zap Mama’s show happening in Ann Arbor next week courtesy of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, which happens to be on the last day of class. Here’s to hoping that the stars align the way that I need to them to.

1000 Words

Competition

Who rocked it better, the chicks or the queens?